Pattern 55 L fuel tank quality

[BMG]

I need a 55L tank. BMW want about £700 for this, so there is an obvious temptation to look at pattern parts and see if there is not a saving to be made here , but without buying total crap as this is not for a short term fix.
Has anyone bought one of these and want to comment on the quality, fit, finish and list any differences between genuine and pattern.
Thanks

[Francisco]

I bought one for my own M3 (guinea pig for this stuff) from Eurocar parts 5 years ago and it's still there! Works perfectly, no rust.

[jimbom30cab]

ATP in Germany (ebay.co.uk) do a good 55l tank, i've had a couple now and they have both been excellent. Of course a few spray coats of silver smoothrite will substantially extend it's life. Fits perfect also.

[magpie]

ATP 55L £175 sounds more appealing wot !

[BMG]

Sounds promising so far. BMW parts can be good value at times and worth buying for their better quality over cheaper items. On something like this though, I have to wonder how they charge about £600 on list price for two bit of pressed tin stuck together.

[JimM3]

Just fitted one to my M3 from ECP. Just make sure it has the recess for the inspection hole under the N/S rear seat as when i fitted mine it was touching the floor and I couldn't get the screws back in for the panel.
I should have test fitted it before I had it painted really but it was very annoying having to 'make' the recess after i had gone to the expense of getting it painted.
Other than that it went on a treat and the garage floor isnt covered in V Power any more! Cant complain for the money.
Jim.

[bss325i]

If they are not painted they will rust.

I've seen plenty of pattern tanks fitted without any paint or protective wax and they are starting to rust.

Paint them what ever colour you want but OEM is satin black.

[BMG]

Also noticed BMW want around £80 for the metal pipe the joins both sides of the tank. That's a few inches of steel pipe with a flare either end and two nuts. Or am I missing something with both these parts ?

[JimM3]

I managed to get my 25 year old one off thankfully. The parts that were fixed to the tank itself ripped off with the pipe so I could get it in the vice and apply some heat. £ 80 for 5 inches of pipe is a tough one to swallow!
Jim.

[KW355]

I have just fitted an ATP tank off ebay, it fitted fine.
Regarding the small pipe, I cut mine off the old tank and hit the bolt flats with a hammer, this shocked the nut free. I presume heat would free it as well.

[rhubarb]

I found and fitted a good secondhand one about 5 years ago for £20...I gave it 3 coats of paint first.